Wrapper-gumming and delivery system



Aug. 1l, 1931. s. HQDAVIS WRAPPER GUMMING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM Filed'July 13, 192e 4 sheets-sheet 1 m'lfENToR, di; l,z [4. W

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A l ATTORNEY.

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Aug. 11, 1931. s. H. DAVIS wRAPPER GUMMING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM Filed July 15, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR.

l A TTORNEY.

Aug. 111931. s. H. DAvls WRAPPER GUMMINGAND DELIVERY SYSTEM Filed July 13,1926 4 sheets-sheet s Aug. 11,;1931. s. H. DAvls y WRAPPER GUMMING AND DELIVERY SYS'IEH.L

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATT0RNEY- Filed July 13, 1926 Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STANLEY H. DAVIS,=OF '.I.OLE]30v OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO STORES AND SMITH COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, .A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA Y WRAPPER-GUMMING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM Application filed July 13, 1926. Serial No. 122,096.

My invention relates to a system for coating sheets, particularly Wrappers or labels of paper or the like, with adhesive or other fluid material, and for conveying or transporting the coated sheets to a place where they are to be applied to boxes, packages, cartons or the like.

It is the object of my invention to prevent coated sheets, wrappers, labels or the like from bowing or curling under the influence of fluid coating of adhesive or the like during transport upon a conveyor belt or by equivalent mechanism to or adjacent the point where they are applied to stayed or unstayed boxes or like articles to wrap or cover them. By maintaining the coated sheets or Wrappers flat during their transport in succession from an adhesive-applying machine to a box-wrapping machine, the latter may be operated at its maximum capacity because of avoidance of loss of time in manipulation of the otherwise curled or bowed sheets or wrappers, and the need for handling or straightening the sheets or wrappers is avoided. By causing the coated sheets or wrappers to arrive flat at or adj acent the wrapping machine, they may be easily' and rapidly manipulated by an operator, who is spared the need for handling the coated wrappers for flattening or straightening them, or in the case of bringing the coated wrappers and the boxes into register by automatic mechanism, the iiat coated wrappers may be rapidly ted and positioned.

In accordance with my invention, the adhesively coated wrappers are transported by conveyor belt or equivalent with their uncoated faces presented to the conveyor belt, and there is exerted upon the wrappers luid pressure, preferably by. effecting sub-atmospheric pressure on their uncoated sides, causing them to lie flat and straight upon the conveyor belt until the wrappers have reached the desired point at or adjacent the Wrapping machine.

Further 1n accordance with my invention, c

the straightening or flattening pressure is applied to a wrapper immediately after the coat-ing has beenapplied or during the application of the coating, and, in any event, before the wrapper begins to curl or bow or has become substantially curled or bowed.

Further in accordance with my invention, the conveyor belt or equivalent means, porous to the passage of air therethrough, passes over or constitutes a movable wall of a chamber in Which is maintained sub-atmospheric pressure to cause the Wrappers to be drawn flat against the conveyor belt and so to rmain throughout the extent of the suction chamber in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt.

Further inaccordance with my invention, the suction chamber comprises a portion extending close to/ the adhesive-applying mechanism whereby suction is applied to a wrapper immediately it has been coated or during the application of adhesive; further in accordance with my invention, that portion of the suction chamber serves as a guide upon which the conveyor belt is supported and travels; and, more particularly, in aecordance with my invention, that portion of the suction chamber is pivoted with respect to the main suction chamber, and, more particularly, is actuated in unison with a pivoted frame of the adhesive-applying machine which may be thrown back for access to the Jfeeding and gumming rolls.

My invention resides in a method` and apparatus of the character hereinafter described and claimed. f i

This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 71,333, liled November 25, 1925.

For an understanding of my method and for an illustration of some of the various forms my structure may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in vert-ical section, of apparatus embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view, partly in vertical section, on the line 2-2, of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the conveyor and suction chamber.

Fig-4 is a central longitudinal sectional ma view of the structure shown in Fig. 2, taken on the line 4 4, of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view partly in .Vertical section, of a modified form of my apparatus.

Fig. G is a fragmentary View, partly in side elevation and partlyin vertical section on enlarged scale, of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 5 with parts in different position.

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view, on reduced scale, of aiportion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is an elevational View, partly in section, on the line 9-9, of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View, partly in elevation, of the`conveyor mechanism and suction chamber disposed adjacent a wrapping machine, a portion of whose elements are shown in elevation.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, G represents a machine for automatically applyingr glue or other adhesive to wrapper or label sheets in succession. rllhe frame 1 of the machine G carries the table 2 upon which uncoated wrapper sheets 3 are disposed in a stack from which they are picked up in succession by the suction roll 4 and delivered between a pair of rolls 5, 5 which feed thel wrapper sheets in succession between the guide members 6, 6 and thence between a second pair of rolls 7, 7 which feed the sheets over the guide plate 6a between the glueapplying rolls 8 and its companion roll 8a.

As the wrapper is adhcsively coated on one side by the roll 8, to which adhesive is transmitted by the roll 10 dipping into adhesive` held in the container 11, the wrapper is stripped from the roll 8 by stripper plates 8?) and passed onto the conveyor apron or belt 9, with its coated surface uppermost. The belt 9 is continuously driven by the rolls 14 between which its passes; the belt 9 passes over the rolls 12 and 13 at opposite ends of the conveyor unit. The upper rolls 5 and 7, the upper guide platesl 6, and the rolls 8a and 12 are carried by a frame la, pivoted upon the frame 1 at 1o, and provided with the handle 1e for throwing the frame 1a and the parts carried thereby backwardly, in clockwise direction about the pivot l?) to effect access to the feeding and gluing mechanism as some times becomes necessary when the feeding channels, rolls and mechanism become clogged by crumpled, torn or distorted wrappers.

Side bars 15 are mounted .at their inner ends on the cross member or shaft 16 and are provided with arms 17 projecting'downwardv ly and receiving adjusting screws 18 adjust- 'ably bearing against the frame 1 to determine the plane of the bars 15 which at their right ends support the aforesaid roller 13. The upper side or flight of the conveyor' belt 9 passes over and is supported by a hollow table, casing or chamber 20, constituting a suction chamber in which suitable sub-atmospheric pressure is maintained by a fan or other suction creating means 23 whose inlet con` nects with the chamber 2() through casing 21 and conduit 22, and whose outlet discharges to atmosphere through the pipe 23a.

The suction chamber or table 20 extends from near one end to the other of the conveyor and is provided with the screen or perforated top 21 which is entirely covered by the conveyor, apron or belt 9, which latter is porous or air-transn'iitting, whereby subatmospheric pressure in the suction chamber 2() draws each sheet, wrapper or label 3 into straight or flat engagement with the apron or belt 9. The glue or other adhesive coating applied to the wrappers 3 in succession by the machine G causes them to curl or bow upwardly, as indicated by the sheet 3 at the extreme left of the apron 9.

The application of suction to the under and uncoated sides of thewrapper sheets causes an excess of atmospheric pressure on their uppermost or coated sides, thereby holding them flat or straight in contact with the belt 9 and preventing them from roll-ing, curling or bowing as would otherwise occur.

It is found in practice that the passage ot' the coated sheets 3 around the left end of the conveyor belt 9 at roller 12 first imparts to them a slightly upwardly bowed form, as indicated at the aforesaid bowed sheet 3, and without the application of suction in accordance with my invention the action of the adhesive on the upper face of each sheet almost immediately causes its forward and rear edges to continue to turn or curl under and inwardly until the sheet assumes more o.: less of a cylindrical form with the coated side upward. By the application of fluidl pressure, in atfcordance with my invent-iomhowever, a force is applied to the sheet before it has had opportunity to curl at its edges and holds it flat to the apron or conveyor belt 9 as it travels upward therewith. It is found that a fier the sheet has passed some distance along the suction chamber it becomes more or less seasoned with the moistureI oi' or from theI adhesive coating` and will then continue to lie flat or substantially so on the apron 9 after passage beyond the region of application of suction. 'lhc time required `for such seasoning varies with variations in the nature or grade of paper or material of which the wrapper or label sheets are composed and with variations in the character and properties of the adhesive utilized.

lVhen the fiat-lying adhesively coated wrapper sheet advances to or adjacent the right end of the conveyor unit, the operator or attendant may place the box or other article to bc wrapped upon the adhesively coated side of the wrapper sheet in proper or suitlll able register therewith and manipulate the box and wrapper sheet to eiiect the wrapping orplace the box with theJ Athereto adheringl wrapper in a wrapping machine, as of the character hereinafter -referred to. Or the box may be placed upon the form-block structo suit varying conditions of use. For

this purpose a shutter 25 is disposed over the upper forward or rightend of the suction chamber 20 below the belt 9, .and is shiftable lengthwise of the conveyor to adjust the length of the suction chamber or table top opening. o

By the application of iiuid pressure as described, the operator is not required to handle the gummed wrapper or label sheets to maintain them flat as they are transported by the conveyor, or to unroll, open up or iiatten them preparatory to utilizing lthem in the succeeding operations of applying them to or covering a box or the like therewith. Where an operator is compelled to handle gummed wrapper or label sheets some of the adhesive attaches itself to his hands, making it diiiicult properly and-rapidly to handle the sheets and articles andsometimes causing soilingof the wrapped articles.

The method and apparatus above described are those disclosed in my aforesaid application, Serial No. 71,333.

A modification of my aforesaid method and apparatus yielding further practical Vadvantages is illustrated by Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive.

Referring to Figs. 5, 6 and 8, there is again provided an automatic adhesive applying machine G in combination with a conveyor structure provided with suction-applying means. The machine G is generally of the character indicated in Fig. 1, but there co acts with the throwback frame .1a thereof a nose portion N of and articulated with respect to the main suction chamber 20.

Vertically adjustable in the stand or base 26 is the supporting tube or rod 27 carrying `adjacent its upper end the transversely extending bracket 28 upon which is mounted the exhauster or suction producing fan or blower 23 driven by the electric motor M. Extending upwardly from the bracket 28 are the rods 29, 29 on whose upper ends are carried the members 30, 30 which support the tubular members 31, 3l connected by the hose 32, 32 with the suction inlet of the blower or fan 23. Carried by the members 31 are the longitudinally extending pipes or conduits 33 whose interiors are in communication through ports 34, F ig. 9, with the blower or'fan 23 through the tubular members 31 and hose 32.

The longitudinally extending tubes or pipes 33, 33 constitute in eect side walls of the main suction chamber 20 whose bottom plate is indicated at 20a, which at its rear end at 205 is inclined rearwardly and upwardl to form a suction connection with the a ore-mentioned nose section N. Across the top of the suction chamber 2O is provided again the sheet of wire netting 24 or e uivalent beltsupportingmeans capable o 'transmitting fiuid, particularly air. As before, the apron or belt 9, itself porous to air transmission, overlies the screenv 24. On their inner sides the tubes 33 are provided with slots or ports 35 whereby the interior of the suction chamber 20 is in communication at regions distributed throughout its extent with the suction producing means 23. At its rear end each of the tubes 33 terminates in a member 36 pivoted upon bolt 37 carried by the side frame 1 of the gluing machine G permitting adjustment of the conveyor and suction unit as a whole to bring its forward or right .end to any suitable height. In each of the members 36 is a plug 38 which seals of the end of the associated tube 33.

Extending transversely of the conveyor and suction unit and secured at its opposite ends to members 36 is the baror strip 39 upon which is pivoted, by hinges at 40, a similar transversely extending strip 41, to which is secured the aforesaidl nose portion N of the suction chamber. The upwardly and rear wardly inclined portion 20h of the suction chamber terminates at a felt pad 42 with which engages the bottom wall 43 and side walls of the suction chamber extension N whose upper Wallis comprised by Wire net- *ting 24, or equivalent means, and extends practically to the extreme rear end, point or nose of member N whereby suction is applied from practically substantially the extreme end of the section N throughout that section and the main chamber 20.

Within the right or forward end of each of the tubes 33 is disposed a longitudinally movable. plunger 44 carrying the bearing 45 for the roller 13 and thrust forward bythe vhelical spring 46 confined by the fixed plug los h belt 9 after passing over the roller 12 substantially immediately passes onto the perforated end and upper facesI of the nose extension N which serves as an additional guide or support for the belt.

`#Vith the parts in the position indicated in Figs. 5, 8 and 10, the upper face/24 of the nose extension N lies substantially in the plane of the upper face 24 of the main suction chamber the ap'ron or belt 9 passes over the roll 12, thence over the extension N and thence over the upper face of the main suction chamber 20 and finally over the roller 13.

' With the extension member N in this position, its interi-or is in communication with the main suction chamber 20, and, therefore with the suction-producing means 23 and, in consequence, suction is produced within the extension N even to its rearmost point whereby suction is applied to a gummed wrapper or label sheet immediately its forwarder advance edge leaves the position of roll 12 and engages the belt 9 at the rear end of the nose extension. As a result, the wrapper or label sheet is held Hat to the apron or conveyor belt 9 immediately it leaves the gum-applying roll 8 and, indeed, suction is applied to the sheet before the completion of distribution of the adhesive to its rear edge. In consequence, the ummed wrapper or label sheets are held straight and flat throuUhout their progress from the adhesive-applying means to the right or forward end of the suction chamber.

When the frame la. is thrown back, for access to the feeding and gumming rolls of the machine G, the roller 12 carried by the frame 1a engages the under side 43 of the nose section N and rotates it in similar direction, clockwise as viewed in Fig. 6, to the position indicated in which the suction connection with the nose extension N is broken. Upon return of the frame la in counterclockwise direction to normal position, the nose extension assumes its normal position indicated in Figs. 5, 8 and 10, and its lower wall 43 and side walls again make suction-tight connection with the main suction chamber.

As indicated fragmentarily in Fig. 10, the suction and conveyor structure is utilizable as an intermediate unit in a system comprising a cumming machine and a wrapping machineWV indicated elementarily at the right of Fi 10 by the usual form-block structure F and reciprocating platen P.

As the wrapper or label sheets are adhesively coated by the machine G, in succession, they'are delivered to the suction and conveyor unit which conveys them while held fiat to a position adjacent the wrapping machine W (of the character disclosed in Letters Patent 691,329 or 1,541,255) to which they may be automatically fed; or an operator may bring a box or similar article into contact and into register with the gummed side of the wrapper sheet while still upon the right end of the apron or conveyor belt; or the operator may remove the gummed wrapper sheet from the belt 9 onto a table where the box or similar article may then be brought into register and thereafter the registered Wrapper and box may be placed in the wrapping machine W.

For maximum output in wrapping boxes or analogous articles it is essential that the wrapping machine W be operated at maximum permissible speed and that a box or other article be wrapped for each cycle of its operations. Contributing to maximum output is the operation effective in accordance with my method and by my apparatus in preventing curling or bowing of the wrapper or label sheets and the prevention of the turning in of its edges or corners.` This is accomplished in accordance with my invention with the result that the gummed labels or wrappers reach the operator fiat or straight, requiring no handling on the part of the operator to uncurl or straighten them and, accor-dingly, saving the time incidentto such handling by the operator, permitting the operat-or to feed the wrapper and boxes at maximum speed to the wrapping machine W.

It will be observed that each gummed label or wrapper moving with the conveyor belt or apron'9 eventually passes into a region R where the suction effect is discontinued. This result is effected, in the example shown, by terminating the suction chamber 20 short of the roll 13. Accordingly, the operator may readily remove the labels or wrappers from the belt 9 without the necessity of overcoming the suction effect, thereby contributing to the speed and ease with which coated wrappers are individually assembled with individual boxes prior to the wrapping operation. Furthermore, in the preferred yform of my invention, the belt or apron 9 brings wrappers in succession to the region R and! then pauses momentarily. By so doing, the assembling operation noted above is the more readily-performed since a wrapper or label may be easily and uickly removed from the stationary belt sur ace.

In both forms of apparatus heretofore de-v scribed, the conveyor belt or apron 9 is intermittently driven by the intermittently driven rolls 14, simultaneously or in step with the rolls 5 which intermittently rotate to feed sheets toward the gumming roll 8. It will be understoodhowever, that as regards some of the aspects 'of my invention the belt ora-pron 9 may, when suitable or desirable, move co tinuously.

, What I claim 'sz 1. In the art f applying adhesivelcoated wrapper or labe sheets to boxes or the like, the nethod which comprises transferrinof the sheet, coated with lluid adhesive, directly to and advancing itiby contact thereof with a -wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like,

moving surface, and applying fluid pressure to the sheet as soon as it engages said surface and during its movement therewith to hold the sheet against said surface.

2. In the art of applying adhesive-coated the method which comprises transferring the sheet coated with fluid adhesive, and advancing it by contact thereof with a surface moving in a curvilinear' path, applying Huid pressure to the sheet as soon as it engages said surface to hold .thesheet against saidvsurface, continuing movement of the surface in a substantially rectilinear path, and continuing application of pressure to the sheet to hold it flat upon said surface.

- 3. In the art of applying Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, the method which comprises advancing a sheet, progressively applying an adhesive coating in a direction from its advance toward its rear edge, and before completion of the application of the adhesive coating transferring the advance end of the sheet to a conveying surface, and at thesame time applying to the sheet a iuid pressure to hold it against the conveying surface. i

4. In the art of applying Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, themethod which comprises advancing a sheet, progressively applying an adhesive coating in a direction from its advance toward its rear edge, and, before completion of the application of the adhesive coating, applying to the sheet a ,Huid pressure to hold it against a conveying surface moving in a curvilinear path, continuingv the movement of the conveying surface in a substantially rectilinear path, and continuing the fluid pressure upon said sheet to hold it flat against said surface.

5. In the art of applying adhesive-coated Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, the method which comprises advancing the sheet having acoating of adhesive on one face by contact ofy said sheet with a surface moving in a curvilinear path, applying suctionto the opposite face of the sheet immediately it engages said surface -to hold the sheet against said surface, continuing movement of the surface i'n a substantially rectilinear path, and continuing application of suction to the sheet to hold it flat upon said surface.

` 6. In the art of applying Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, the method which comprises advancing a sheet, progressively applying anfadhesive coating in a direction from its advance toward its rearedge, and

before completion of the' application of the adhesive coating transferring the advance end ofthe sheet to a conveying surface, and at the same time applying suction tothe opposite face of the sheet to hold it against the conveying surface.

7. In the art of lapplying Wrapper or label sheets-to boxes or the like, the method which comprises advancing a sheet, progressively applying an adhesive coating in a direction from its advance toward its rear edge, and before completion of the application of the adhesive coating applying suction to the sheet to hold it against a. conveying surface moving in a curvilinear path, continuing the movement of the conveying surface in a substantially rectilinear path, and continuing application of suction to hold the sheet flat upon said surface.

8. In the art ofapplying Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, the method which comprises applying adhesive to a face of a sheet, transferring the sheet directly to a moving conveying surface, applying suction to the uncoated face of the sheet through the conveying surface to hold the uncoated face in contact with the conveying surface, and continuing the application of suction during the continued advance of the'sheet fora period effecting seasoning of the sheet, Whereby the sheet lies fiat against said surface after discontinuance of the suction.

9. In a system for applying gummed wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, the combination with a main suction chamber, of an extension suction chamber pivoted With respect thereto, a porous conveying member passing over said chambers in succession, and means for effecting sub-atmospheric pressure in said chambers for holdliang the sheets against said conveying mem 10. In a system for applying gummed Wrapper or label' sheets to boxes or the like, the combination With a main suction chamber, of an extension suction chamber pivoted With respect thereto, a porous conveying member passing over` saidchambers in succession, and suction producing means conl nected with said main chamber, whereby the sheetsare held against said conveying member during its passage over said main and extension chambers.

11. In a system for applying gummed Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, including mechanism for applying adhesive to sheets, a suction chamber having a perforated pointed end adjacent the` point of sheet delivery of said mechanism, a porous conveying member passing over said pointedend of said suction chamber, and means for producing sub-atmospheric pressure in said suction chamber, whereby advance edges of sheets are held against the pointed end of said conveying member as soon as they emerge from said mechanism.

12. In a system for applying. gummed Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, including mechanism for applying adhesive to sheets, a suction chamber having a pointed end adjacent the point of sheet delivery of said mechanism, a roller adjacent said pointed end, a porous conveying member passing Aco over said roller and said pointed end of said chamber, means for pivoting said chamber, a pivoted frame carrying said roller, said chamber movable about its pivotal axis upon movement of said frame, and means for producing sub-atmospheric pressure in said suction chamber, whereby sheets are held against said conveying member immediately they are delivered from said mechanism.

13. In a system for applying gummed wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, mechanism for applying an adhesive coating to sheets and comprising an adhesive-applying roll, a pivoted throw-back frame, sheet feeding and guiding means carried thereby, a roller on said frame disposed adjacent the point of delivery of sheets from said mechanism, a pivoted suction chamber terminating immediately adjacent said roller and movable about its pivotal axis upon movement of said frame, a porous conveying member passing over said roller and said suction chamber, and means for producing sub-atmospheric pressure in said chamber whereby sheets are held against said conveying Vmember immediately they are delivered from said mechanism.

14. In a system for applying gummed wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, mechanism for applyingr an adhesive coating to sheets, a lnain suction chamber, an extension suction chamber pivoted with respect thereto and having its end disposed adj accnt the point of delivery of sheets from said mechanism, said mechanism comprising a throw-back frame and sheet feeding and guiding means thereon, said'extension suction chamber movable about its pivotal axis upon movement of said frame, a porous conveyingmember passing over said extension and main chambers in succession, and means for producing subatmospheric pressure in said chambers whereby the sheets are held against said conveying member immediately they are delivered from said mechanism and during their passage over said chambers.

15. In the art of transporting freshly gummed Wrapper or label sheets, the method which comprises applying an adhesive coating to a sheet, transferring the sheet to a surface moving toward a predetermined region, applying fluid pressure to the sheet to hold it flat against said surface. and in said region discontinuing the application of said fluid pressure upon said Wrapper during further movement thereof with said surface.

16. In the art of transporting freshly gummed wrapper or label sheets, the method which comprises applying an adhesive coating to a sheet, transferring the sheet to a surface moving step-by-step toward a predetermined region, applying fluid pressure to the sheet to hold it against said surface, and in saidregion discontinuing the a; plication of said fluid pressure at the end of a step of movement of said surface.

17. In a system for transporting gummed wrapper or label sheets, including sheetgumming and delivering mechanism, an endless conveyer comprising an intermittently movable porous member to which said mechanism directly transfers the freshly gummed sheets, and lmeans for applying suction' through said conveying member to a plurality of sheets to hold their uncoated faces flat upon said conveying member during travel therewith.

18. In a system for transporting gummed wrapper or label sheets, the combination with a coating roll and a coacting feed roll, a third roll, a movable support for said feed and third rolls, an endless conveyer traversing said third roll and another roll spaced therefrom and receiving gummed sheets in succession from said coating roll, and means for causing greater fluid pressure on the coated than the uncoated faces of the sheets to hold their uncoated faces against said etonveying member during travel therewith.

19. In a system for transporting gummed wrapper or label sheets, the combination with a coating roll and a coacting feed roll, a third roll, a pivoted Asupport for said feed and third rolls. for moving them with respect to said coating roll, an endless conveyer traversing said third roll and another roll spaced therefrom and receiving gummed sheets in succession from said coating roll, and means for causing greater fluid pressure on the coated than the uncoated faces of the sheets to hold their uncoated faces against said conveying member during travel therewith.

20. In a system for transporting adhesivecoated wrapper or label sheets, the combination of a sheet-coating roll and a cooperating sheet-feeding roll, a third roll, a movable support for said sheet-feeding and third roll,

an endless-conveyor driven by the said third roll and another roll spaced therefrom, and means for causing preponderance of pressure on the coated faces of the sheets to hold them substantially flat against the conveying member during travel therewith.

,21. In a system for applying gummed wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like, including mechanism for applying an adhesive coating to sheets and comprising an adhesive applying roll, a pivoted throw-back frame, a roller on said frame disposed adjacent the point of delivery of sheets from said mechanism, a pivoted suction chamber terminating immediately 'adjacent said roller and movable about its pivotal axis upon movement of said frame, a porous conveyin member passing over said roller and sai suction chamber, and means for producing sub-atmospheric pressure in said chamber to hold the freshly coated advance edges of sheets against said conwying member immediately they emerge from saidzmechanism. 22. In a system for applying gummed wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like including a sheet-gumming roll, means for stripping the sheets as coated from said roll,

-a porous conveying member, and a suction chamber therefor closely approaching said stripping means to Nhold the sheets 'Hat against said conveyor member as they are delected thereto by said stripping means.

23. In a system for applying gummed Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like including an adhesf ve-coated member, means for stripping the sheets as coated from said roll, a conveyor member, and means for causing greater air pressure on the coated than the uncoated faces of the sheets as they are deflected by said stripping means toward said conveyor mechanism.

24. In a system for applying gummed Wrapper or label sheets to boxes or the like,l

the combination with a main suction chamber, of an extension suction chamber pivoted with respect thereto, conveyor belt structure transporting sheetsv over said chambers( in succession, and means for effecting sub-atmospheric pressure in said chambers for holding the sheets against said conveyor belt' structure.

25. In Va system for transport-ing gummed Wrapper or label sheets, including a sheetguinming roll, a suction chamber having a ,perforated end adjacent said roll, a porous conveying member passingl over said end of said suction chamber, means for producing sub-atmospheric pressure in said suction chamber, whereby advance edges of sheets are held against said conveyor member as soon as theyf emerge from said roll, and means for supporting said conveyor member beyond the other end of said suction chamber to permit removal of the coated sheets from the conveyor member beyond said other end without hindrance from suction.

STANLEY DAV-TS 

